In the first 12 games, the Pistons four All-Stars have all missed games (Billups-2, Hamilton-2, Wallace-1, McDyess-3). The new guys (Hayes, Amir, Afflalo) are still showing what they can do. The backup PG (Stuckey) is injured. The fill-in PG (Murray) has shown flashes. There is no way to have a rotation at this point.

In the first 12 games, the Pistons four All-Stars have all missed games (Billups-2, Hamilton-2, Wallace-1, McDyess-3). The new guys (Hayes, Amir, Afflalo) are still showing what they can do. The backup PG (Stuckey) is injured. The fill-in PG (Murray) has shown flashes. There is no way to have a rotation at this point.

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So what were the rotations the previous 2 years when none of these guys got hurt? You can't have a rotation when you consider making 3 shots in a row a once in a lifetime achievement that can't be disrupted. Flip plays he bench like a little kid learning to ride a bike. He starts of wobbly at first then he sees that the bench isn't killing him and it's, 'I'M PLAYING THE BENCH! LOOK EVERYONE - I'M PLAYING THE BENCH!'.

Can you honestly say you know when a player is going to come in and for who? Dysee has been the only player you could reliably predict when he might sub in going into year 3. Is there any coach in the NBA who sits starers until there are 2 minutes left in the half? Has that ever been done? How about having your starters sitting with 5 minutes to go in close games? 'I'M PLAYING THE BENCH!'.

If you look at the minutes per game averages, the bench plays. To me the bench plays just enough to lose, just enough to ensure that they need to lean on the starters, just enough that the starters will pick up nagging injuries along the way. That doesn't mean there is a rotation. Every game is a blank slate for Memento-man.

So what were the rotations the previous 2 years when none of these guys got hurt? You can't have a rotation when you consider making 3 shots in a row a once in a lifetime achievement that can't be disrupted. Flip plays he bench like a little kid learning to ride a bike. He starts of wobbly at first then he sees that the bench isn't killing him and it's, 'I'M PLAYING THE BENCH! LOOK EVERYONE - I'M PLAYING THE BENCH!'.

Can you honestly say you know when a player is going to come in and for who? Dysee has been the only player you could reliably predict when he might sub in going into year 3. Is there any coach in the NBA who sits starers until there are 2 minutes left in the half? Has that ever been done? How about having your starters sitting with 5 minutes to go in close games? 'I'M PLAYING THE BENCH!'.

If you look at the minutes per game averages, the bench plays. To me the bench plays just enough to lose, just enough to ensure that they need to lean on the starters, just enough that the starters will pick up nagging injuries along the way. That doesn't mean there is a rotation. Every game is a blank slate for Memento-man.

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Coaching a basketball team is not like doing an accounting audit?

Best matchups, hot hands, cold hands, game situations, injuries, fouls are all critical ingredients of any coaches bench rotation. We complained because Flip wasn't flexible against the Cavs and couldn't vary the Pistons game. Now we are complaining when he is showing some flexibility. Complain, complain, complain.

In the first 12 games, the Pistons four All-Stars have all missed games (Billups-2, Hamilton-2, Wallace-1, McDyess-3). The new guys (Hayes, Amir, Afflalo) are still showing what they can do. The backup PG (Stuckey) is injured. The fill-in PG (Murray) has shown flashes. There is no way to have a rotation at this point.

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I say you are wrong. Players missing does not mean you don't have a rotation. You should have a depth chart, and try to stick to it. However, Flip (and the Pistons management in general) have too many things going on to maintain some kind of logic in their rotation. Its not the injuries. Its more showcasing Mohammed and Flip Murray.

Case in point. If you notice, Afflalo is getting all the backup shooting guard minutes at the moment. Where does that leave Murray, who depending on what week it is, people are saying he is or is not a point guard? It seemed to work well having Prince play the point, but instead, we are having Murray play the backup point the last few games. Why. Its just showcasing Murry, not to try to win games. And it throws off the rotation.

I am going to post a rotation we could be using so far this season. (in the rotations thread. And rest assured, Mohammed and Flip Murray won't be in it.

I say you are wrong. Players missing does not mean you don't have a rotation. You should have a depth chart, and try to stick to it. However, Flip (and the Pistons management in general) have too many things going on to maintain some kind of logic in their rotation. Its not the injuries. Its more showcasing Mohammed and Flip Murray.

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Of course, the coaches have a depth chart. Unfortunately for you, the Piston coaches' depth chart doesn't match yours. There is a big difference between a depth chart and a rotation. You must have been confused for a minute. Perhaps that was why you mistakenly said I was wrong. It wouldn't be possible to have a consistent rotation with the injuries the Pistons have had in the first 12 games. They have been plugging different holes each game.

Of course, the coaches have a depth chart. Unfortunately for you, the Piston coaches' depth chart doesn't match yours. There is a big difference between a depth chart and a rotation. You must have been confused for a minute. Perhaps that was why you mistakenly said I was wrong. It wouldn't be possible to have a consistent rotation with the injuries the Pistons have had in the first 12 games. They have been plugging different holes each game.

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Nope, there really is no difference. And don't bother reading further, or replying any further, if you want to take the approach that you are right, and why bother discussing anything. If you do want to debate the topic, read on.

Lets say Prince is 3rd on your depth chart for point guards. With CB and Stuckey out, Prince would automatically start at point. With one of them out, Prince becomes the sub at point. This is not esoteric, as indeed, Prince has acted as our 3rd string point guard in a few games already this season.

But there has been an inconsistency. Despite us doing just fine with Tay running the point, we have seen the Pistons not play Tay at the point, even in games where Billups did not even play (and Stuckey of course still being injured). He went from 3rd string to 4th string point guard behind Flip Murray.

This discussion started with the statement that you just did not know who Flip Saunders would play when. This is a very true statement. Whether Flip chose to use Murray or Prince as the the 3rd string point, at least we would know which one was going to play when if Flip Saunders used a consistent depth chart.

Other examples: You never know if Flip Saunders will go with Amir or Hayes as 4th string big. There has been no rhyme nor reason with that so far.

There has been no consistency concerning if Samb would play, or if Mohammed would get minutes. You just don't know, save maybe trying to base something on the last two games.

You do not know if Dyess will be limited in minutes (as per what most thought would happen) or if Flip will play him major minutes.

You do not know for any certainly whether Afflalo vs. Murray will get any given backup shooting guard minutes, basing on what has happened so far this season. Here, you could guess Afflalo based on the last couple of games, but you really would be guessing. And going forward, when Stuckey gets back, you really can't even begin to guess who Flip Saunders will choose then for a backup shooting guard.

And heck, you can't even tell me if Stuckey will actually be the primary backup point over Murray when he gets back in a week or so.

Believe it or not, there have been many seasons where for any given injury, or set of injuries, it could be easily figured out who would play what position. There would be no surprises. Nothing to guess at. Why? We were not showcasing any players as we are now.